Multifunctional Nanoprobes

This thesis mainly focuses on the design and synthesis of novel multifunctional nanoprobes, investigating their feasibility for applications involving sensing, molecular imaging, and the simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of cancer. Above all, it discusses the development of innovative nanomaterials to address the issues limiting the effectiveness of currently available nanoprobes such as the synthesis shortcoming and poor performance in sensing, imaging and therapeutic applications. One of the strengths of this thesis is its integration of knowledge from chemistry, materials science and biomedicine. Further, it presents the theoretical fundamentals in the design of nanoprobes, which can offer guidance for future studies on the development of novel multifunctional nanomaterials with significantly enhanced performance.

This thesis presents the development of theranostic gold nanostars (GNS) for multimodality cancer imaging and therapy. Furthermore, it demonstrates that a novel two-pronged treatment, combining immune-checkpoint inhibition and GNS-mediated photothermal nanotherapy, can not only eradicate primary treated tumors but also trigger immune responses to treat distant untreated tumors in a mouse animal model. Cancer has become a significant threat to human health with more than eight million deaths each year, and novel methods for cancer management to improve patients’ overall survival are urgently needed. The developed multifunctional GNS nanoprobe with tip-enhanced plasmonics in the near-infrared region can be combined with (1) surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), (2) two-photon photoluminescence (TPL), (3) X-ray computed tomography (CT), (4) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), (5) positron emission tomography (PET), and (6) photothermal therapy (PTT) for cancer imaging and treatment. The ability of the GNS nanoprobe to detect submillimeter intracranial brain tumors was demonstrated using PET scan – a superior non-invasive imaging modality – in a mouse animal model. In addition, delayed rechallenge with repeated cancer cell injection in cured mice did not lead to new tumor formation, indicating generation of a memorized immune response to cancer. The biocompatible gold nanostars with superior capabilities for cancer imaging and treatment have great potential for translational medicine applications.

The book explores recent developments in the application of nanotechnology in the early detection of gastric cancer. It discusses various aspects, such as screening for gastric cancer-associated biomarkers; establishing new ultrasensitive detection methods based on nanoparticle labeling and nanoeffects; developing a new generation of nanodevices for high-throughput examination of serum and breath biomarkers; developing multifunctional nanoprobes for targeted imaging and simultaneous therapy of gastric cancer; evaluating the biosafety of multifunctional nanoprobes; and the establishment of a pre-warning and early diagnosis system. It also presents clinical applications and prospects. The book provides a valuable reference for researchers in nanomedicine and clinicians involved in gastric cancer and radiology.

A unique book that summarizes the properties, toxicology, and biomedical applications of TiO2-based nanoparticles Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly important for products used in our daily lives. Nanometer-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) are widely used in industry for different purposes, such as painting, sunscreen, printing, cosmetics, biomedicine, and so on. This book summarizes the advances of TiO2 based nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine, covering materials properties, toxicological research, and biomedical application, such as antibacter, biosensing, and cancer theranostics. It uniquely integrates the TiO2 applications from physical properties, toxicology to various biomedical applications, and includes black TiO2 based cancer theranostics. Beginning with a comprehensive introduction to the properties and applications of nanoparticles, TiO2 Nanoparticles: Applications in Nanobiotechnology, Theranostics and Nanomedicine offers chapters on: Toxicity of TiO2 Nanoparticles; Antibacterial Applications of TiO2 Nanoparticles; Surface Enhanced Raman Spectrum of TiO2 Nanoparticle for Biosensing (TiO2 Nanoparticle Served as SERS Sensing Substrate); TiO2 as Inorganic Photosensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy; Cancer Theranostics of Black TiO2 Nanoparticles; and Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics and Therapy of TiO2-Based Nanoparticles. This title: -Blends the physical properties, toxicology of TiO2 nanoparticles to the many biomedical applications -Includes black TiO2 based cancer theranostics in its coverage -Appeals to a broad audience of researchers in academia and industry working on nanomaterials-based biosensing, drug delivery, nanomedicine TiO2 Nanoparticles: Applications in Nanobiotechnology, Theranostics and Nanomedicine is an ideal book for medicinal chemists, analytical chemists, biochemists, materials scientists, toxicologists, and those in the pharmaceutical industry.

Lanthanide-Based Multifunctional Materials: From OLEDs to SIMs serves as a comprehensive and state-of the art review on these promising compounds, delivering a panorama of their extensive and rapidly growing applications. After an introductory chapter on the theoretical description of the optical and magnetic behaviour of lanthanides and on the prediction of their properties by ab-initio methods, four chapters are devoted to lanthanide-based OLEDs, including the latest trends in visible emitters, the emerging field of near infrared emitters and the first achievements attained in the field of chiral OLEDs. The use of lanthanide complexes as molecular magnets spreads over another two chapters, which explain the evolution of 4f-elements-based SIMs and the most recent advances in heterometallic 3d–4f SMMs. Other very active research areas are covered in the remaining five chapters, dedicated to lanthanide-doped germanate and tellurite glasses, luminescent materials for up-conversion, luminescent thermosensors, multimodal imaging and therapeutic agents, and chemosensors. The book is aimed at academic and industrial researchers, undergraduates and postgraduates alike, and is of particular interest for the Materials Science, Applied Physics and Applied Chemistry communities. Includes the latest progress on lanthanide-based materials and their applications (in OLEDs, SIMs, doped matrices, up-conversion, thermosensors, theragnostics and chemosensors) Presents basic and applied aspects of the Physics and Chemistry of lanthanide compounds, as well as future lines of action Covers successful examples of devices and proofs-of-concept and provides guidelines for the rational design of new materials

This book provides an overview of the current applications of nanomaterials in brain diseases, and introduces several novel nanomaterials that have excellent potential in this field. During the last two decades, nanotechnology had matured significantly as it has transitioned from a bench-top science to an applied technology. However, the application of nanomaterials in basic and clinical neuroscience is still at an early stage, and understanding how the intrinsic properties of nanomaterials translate to complex biological responses is an area of intensive research. Part 1 of the book focuses on the principles and strategies of nanomedicine in the brain diseases, while part 2 examines the applications of promising nanomaterials for therapy and diagnosis in the brain. Together they offer a comprehensive picture of advances in nanotechnology and their successful use in treating brain diseases in the past 20 years.

This book surveys recent advances in theranostics based on magnetic nanoparticles, ultrasound contrast agents, silica nanoparticles and polymeric micelles. It presents magnetic nanoparticles, which offer a robust tool for contrast enhanced MRI imaging, magnetic targeting, controlled drug delivery, molecular imaging guided gene therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and controlling cell fate. Multifunctional ultrasound contrast agents have great potential in ultrasound molecular imaging, multimodal imaging, drug/gene delivery, and integrated diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to their diversity and multifunctionality, polymeric micelles and silica-based nanocomposites are highly capable of enhancing the efficacy of multimodal imaging and synergistic cancer therapy. This comprehensive book summarizes the main advances in multifunctional nanoprobes for targeted imaging and therapy of gastric cancer, and explores the clinical translational prospects and challenges. Although more research is needed to overcome the substantial obstacles that impede the development and availability of nanotheranostic products, such nontrivial nanoagents are expected to revolutionize medical treatments and help to realize the potential of personalized medicine to diagnose, treat, and follow-up patients with cancer. Zhifei Dai is a Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, China.

Annotation This resource outlines the new tools that are becoming available in nanomedicine. The book presents an integrated set of perspectives that describe where advancements are now and where they should be headed to put nanomedicine devices into applications as quickly as possible